Switching On the Sun

Where is Baguio headed? Barely a month after the recent election, what now, Baguio? Where to? Towards modernization? Through traffic via a “one-passenger oversized carbon footprint-marking gas-guzzler batmobile”? Just going around Gotham? To the bat cave! “To the bat cave!” While that may sound like a call to rather go back in time, primitive times that is, it’s actually a reference to that of Bruce Wayne’s alter ego’s “hi-tech” means to plan and address hard-pressing issues… “Bahala na si Batman” is also another referential undertone for a probable course of action. If so, in that “bat cave” as to the “mapping out” where Baguio is headed, does that make us like Alfred the butler or like the “minding-their-own-thing cave-dwelling bats” and rather leave it to Batman? And Batman be like, either he’d be the “incognito dark knight” in all its alter ego form or simply be “Bat-Man” or the “man for the bats” in reference to “people-person (being a man for the people) ”. Coincidentally, “Bat...

  A looming political dynasty in Baguio has been staved off. However, about 18K, give or take, from that of congressional bet Sol Go’s votes thought it was ok. That’s around 20K+ short of her husband’s mayoralty votes. Apparently, that 20K+ discrepancy for a number of voters probably thought that at least one of the two Gos getting any of the local’s two highest seats would be fine. That actually says a lot about the Go couple’s out of sync supporters; for if they truly believe in the would-have-been Baguio’s first ever husband and wife elected tandem, their respective votes should have been in sync. Needless to say, even their supporters didn’t agree with the political dynasty they themselves tried to justify. Were (or are) they really “maka-Baguio” to begin with given how they enabled the inherent byproduct of such likely centralization of political influence. That’s something true-blue “maka-Baguio” people do not actually condone. Or is it? Or do we, Baguio peeps? Or was it re...

“I’m gonna knock on your door, ring on your bell, knock on your window too.” Like an opportunity knocking once, this classic commercial jingle (which only baby boomers and Gen Xers could most likely relate to), knocked some sense into the core of my being from every angle. Not like some “knock knock joke” I’ve heard many times over but a new perspective on people’s knack for opening doors... "Knocking on my door" ~ Saw this worn-out blast-from-the-past vacuum cleaner in our storage room and voila! Lightbulb moment for an upcycling project to preserve this "now-classic artifact" and turn it into a portable lampshade/spotlight kind of an accent piece... This COVID-19 pandemic banged our doors to our surprise much like an unexpected guest. It barged into our actuality as indeed an unwanted intruder. Though the heavy knocking served as a warning, it certainly caught us off guard. Yet, as resilient and tenacious our natural tendency is predisposed for us to pull...

It’s called commUNITY quarantine for a reason... We have respective roles yet it’s not campaign season Tho’ even in a communal capacity we rise up to the occasion A global menace is teaching us valuable lessons on realization... Faced with a “Thanos-like pandemic” wherein the “world stops” There shouldn’t be hidden agendas like that of “Joker” perhaps Through a “transparent phone booth”, change into a “Superman” Not a show that’s staged to be smooth, yet be like “Wonder Woman” No to being green with envy, however transform rather to smash the enemy Slingshot your weight to open harmony but not a mudslinging opportunity... Set aside differences as this is not about factional affiliations Stop the comparisons, it shouldn’t be about political ambitions From “Dr. Strangers”, “Lois Lanes” to “Marthas” at home, we have tasks to assume Either we step up to the plate or end up on a plate for corona virus to consume Let us solidify mankind and give ...

“A contagious infliction that causes enlargement of the heart yet similarly, its rewarding fulfillment is as infectious” Hotel Supreme’s Peter Ng has since then established a name synonymous with philanthropy. Such benevolence has transcended into various manifestations. For those in the know from Mr Ng’s not so distant pre-Hotel Supreme heydays, his humble beginnings as a taxi driver/operator is an inspiring story in itself and seemingly the principle behind Peter Ng’s disposition to rather be openhanded in the acknowledgement of those from a familiar “disadvantaged” situation he has been to... Fast forward to today, he continues to embody that sense of commitment and social responsibility. There are the usual societal ethical framework among corporate organizations/entities as means to communicate positivity for all its brand’s worth. Yet at various junctures and in more ways than one, Peter Ng has also personified generosity sans the fanfare and gainful mileage. Simply ...

Because of their "right" to that misconstrued 'freedom of expression'... Here's something to take into consideration: Free will is having the liberty to do things as a matter of moral prerogative. Exercising your right is more of a dispensation congruent with legal entitlement... You may have the free will to do things but it doesn't necessarily mean that you have the right to do so at the expense of sacrificing volition... There have been too many farcical jokes at the expense of lawyers. From a play on the word ‘lawyer’ itself hinting on what they seem to be ironically deemed as - “liars” (considering the supposed proving of the truth) to “abogago” among other “fun intended” (pun intended) coLAWquial terms to discredit the apparent seriousness of the ‘constitutional law-basing’ law practitioners as opposed to the more humane ‘law of nature-observers’ among a reasonable society. And there’s also that “I’m a lawyer” PROFESSion (another pun) wherein i...

Beyond The Ordinary: Servicing the server... The Rotary Club of Baguio South (RCBS) initiated a recognizing body for a club project that aims to give due recognition among individuals from the grassroots who exemplify the Rotary's core value, "Service Above Self" beyond their livelihood. With the objective to rather bestow due recognition to whom a fitting appreciation is due, the RCBS, through its members, busied themselves from sourcing, identifying and validating worthy honorees for the past months. First to be recognized was Marites Castro of Asin last September 27, 2019 held at the Capital Hall of the Capital Building along Kennon Road. Marites Castro giving her acceptance speech Marites Castro is a masseuse plying her trade through home service for 17 years here in Baguio. Making ends meet, she likewise took it upon herself to support indigent families by helping them send their children to school and pay for their other needs. 📷 Pilipinas...

As the only first-time councilor corresponding with his fledgling aspiration into the political scene with an outward boyish semblance, among the city council, Councilor Vladimir Cayabas may as well be the “Robin to Baguio’s Batman.” Deemed as the most celebrated sidekick (used to associate for that of the likes of Kobe to Shaq, Kyrie to LeBron or Pippen to Jordan paving the way to establishing their own go-to-guy stature) , being ‘Robin’ though has a deeper sense of commitment and responsibility more than just a close associate. Looking at how Batman’s Robin, in due course, imbibed that sense of leadership anchored on interdependency, Vladimir Cayabas’ ascendancy is transcending into a bigger role. Much like Robin eventually establishing his authority through the ‘Teen Titans’, Cayabas is now entrusted to chair the committee on education, culture and historical research as well as represent the local school board. These will all equate with his complementing role in assisting ...